Automatic baby feeder



June 9, 1959 R J RUTLEDGE SR 2,890,007

AUTOMATIC BABY FEEDER Filed July 25, 1957 IN VENTOR.

K MJKafh f 6' ATTD RN E United States Patent M AUTOMATIC BABY FEEDER 1 Ralph J Rutledge, Sr., Charleston, W. Va. Application July 25, 1957, Serial No. 674,186 2 Claims. or. 248-105) This invention relates to a holder for a baby bottle.

The object of the invention is to provide a bottle holder which is constructed so that the bottle can shift to the proper position as the baby feeds from the bottle.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic baby feeder or bottle holder which includes a means for permitting the bottle to shift so that as the milk flows from the bottle, the bottle is automatically tilted to the proper angle, and wherein there is provided a means for permitting the bottle to shift back and forth to permit the bottle to be used comfortably and efficiently by the baby.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic baby feeder which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the automatic baby feeder of the present invention, and with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the sliding connection between the chain and top piece.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the device.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the automatic baby feeder.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral designates a frame which includes a pair of spaced parallel side members 11 which have a curved shape, Figure 1. Extending upwardly from the rear of the side members 11 and formed integral therewith or secured thereto, are spaced parallel vertically disposed rear legs 12, and a curved top member 13 extends between the upper ends of the legs 12. A horizontally disposed brace 14 is arranged below the top member 13, and the brace 14 extends between the legs 12 and is secured thereto.

The frame 10 further includes a pair of spaced parallel front legs 15 which extend upwardly from the front ends of the side members 11, and a curved top piece 16 extends between the front legs 15 and is secured thereto or formed integral therewith.

There is further provided a support member which is indicated generally by the numeral 17, and the support member 17 can be made of any suitable material such as a suitable fabric, and the support member 17 includes a major portion 18 which is of semi-cylindrical formation, and the support member 17 is adapted to releasably hold a bottle such as the bottle 19, Figure 4. The rear of the support member 17 is closed as at 20, and an apertured ear or end piece 21 extends from the rear and is secured thereto or formed integral therewith. A coil spring 22 has one end connected to the apertured ear 21, while the other end of the coil spring 22 is aric I From theforegoing, it is apparent that there has been .provided an automatic baby feeder which is in the nature of a bottle holder, and in use, the parts can be made of any suitable'material and in dilferent shapes or sizes. For example, the frame 10 may be made of plastic. The frame 10 includes the curved spaced apart side members 11 which provide the necessary stability for the device, and there is further provided a support member 17 which maybe made of a suitable fabric or the like whereby the bottle 19 will be conveniently supported therein. As shown in Figures 1 and 3 for example, it will be seen that with the bottle 19 supported in the device, the nipple 23 is in lowered position so as to facilitate the flow of milk from the bottle through the nipple 23 into the babys mouth. The spring 22 has one end connected to the top member 13, while the other end of the spring 22 is connected to the car 21. The support member 17 further includes the straps 24, and the chain 25 extends from the upper ends of the straps 24 and slidably engages the top piece 16. In view of the slidable connection between the chain 25 and top piece 16, it will be seen that as the baby moves its head back and forth, the chain 25 can slide on the top piece 16 so that the bottle 19 can be swung from the solid line position of Figure 5 to the broken line position of Figure 5 whereby the nipple and bottle will be able to move with the baby so that the baby can feed comfortably and easily. Furthermore, due to the provision of the coil spring 22, it will be seen that as the milk or fluid 26 is removed from the bottle 19 through the nipple 23, that the coil spring 22 will gradually raise the rear end of the bottle 19 so that the fluid 26 can be more easily removed from the bottle. Thus, it will be seen that the present invention is constructed so that feeding of the baby is facilitated and as the food or milk is withdrawn from the bottle, the spring 22 automatically compensates for the milk that has been used so that the rear of the bottle is raised gradually or tilted upwardly so as to permit the milk to pass out through the nipple 23 more easily.

As previously stated, the spring 22 serves to function automatically to tilt the baby bottle as the milk flows from the bottle. The chain 25 slides back and forth at the front of the frame so as to compensate for the motion of the babys head whereby the bottle can follow the baby in any direction.

While I have shown a preferred form of my invention, I reserve all rights to such modifications as properly fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In an automatic baby feeder, a frame including a pair of spaced parallel longitudinally upwardly curved side members, spaced parallel vertically disposed rear legs extending upwardly from the rear of said side members, spaced parallel front legs extending upwardly from the front of said side members, a longitudinally upwardly curved top member extending between the upper ends of said rear legs, a longitudinally upwardly curved top piece extending between the upper ends of said front legs, a horizontally disposed brace extending between said rear legs and arranged below said top member, a

position so that the nipple 23 is 1 support" member for holding a bottle, and said support member including a major portion 'of semi-cylindrical shape, the rear end of said sppport member being closed and the front .end vof the support member being open, an aper tured e ar fextending 'lupwardly' from the rear of the support member, [a coil spring having one end connected to said rear and Litsot'her end connected to said top me mber a pair of :straps' e xtendinig upwardly from therfront portion of .thesupport member,.and a'chainconnected to said straps and having a' portion thereof slidably connected to said .top'piece.

- '2. Inwan automatic baby feeder, 1a 'frame including a pair of spaced parallel longitudinally upwardly curved side members, spaced parallel vertically disposed rear flegs extending upwardly from therearof said side members, spaced parallel front legs extending upwardly from the front of said side members, allongitudinally upwardly curved top member extending between the upper ends of said rear legs, a longitudinally upwardly curved vtop piece extending betweenthe upper ends of said front legs, a horizontally disposed brace extending between said rearilegs and arrangedqbelow said top member, a

support member for holding a bottle, and said support member including a major portion of semi-cylindrical shape, the rear end of said si pport member being closed and the front end of the support member being open, an apertured ear extending upwardly from the rear of the support member, a coil spring having one end connected to said ear and its other end connected to said top member, a pair of strapsextending upwardly from the front portion ofthe :support memben a chain connected to said straps and having a portion thereof slidably conncctod to said "top-piece, said :spring serving to automatically tilt the bottle as the milk flows from the bottle, and said chain serving to permit the bottle to move so as to compensate "for" the' motion-of the babys head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

